JP Pietersen reacted to the Sharks' 41-12 defeat at Loftus, highlighting unforced errors and injury woes as the side slips to 11th in the URC. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Sharks coach JP Pietersen says defensive meltdowns and clumsy mistakes were responsible for the heavy 41-12 United Rugby Championship loss to the Bulls on Saturday evening.
The Bulls scored seven tries to two, with their scoring coming in blitzes of tries.
For example, the opening quarter was scoreless, but the Bulls led 22-0 at halftime after a quick succession of scoring.
“We were good for 15 minutes, and then the Bulls scored two quick tries,” Pietersen said.
“That’s something we need to work on. If we concede one, how do we eliminate the next one?
The same thing happened against the Lions — we conceded two quick tries in the first half. We need to identify what is going wrong and address how we can get better in that area.”
There were 33 000 fans packed into Loftus, and they got behind a Bulls team that scored some sublime tries, with the likes of Sebastian de Klerk and Canan Moodie displaying slick skills.
The Sharks were much better in the third quarter but again succumbed to a flurry of scoring.
“Yes, the boys showed fight and courage in the second half. But when you’re 22-0 down, it’s hard to come back,” Pietersen said.
“We made 22 unforced errors (to the nine of the Bulls). That means you can’t build pressure,” the coach added. “We knocked balls on, missed lineouts, and when we had possession, we couldn’t convert it into territory or points. That just takes energy away from the group.”
The loss of influential scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse after half an hour to a concussion contributed to the Sharks’ demise.
“Jaden controls our game, our kicking, our organisation. He’s huge for us,” Pietersen explained. “We’ve lost Aphelele Fassi, now Jaden, and Jaco Williams picked up an injury, so the backs are falling apart a bit. Most of our loose forwards are injured as well, and they are all starting players.”
Pietersen brought up the issue that plagued former coach John Plumtree and will continue to hinder the Sharks as long as they are top-heavy with Springboks.
“It’s hard to build cohesion when you’re resting seven Boks and then rebuilding again,” he said. “But it’s not an excuse. The guys who step in must take their opportunity.”
The coach admitted that the Sharks are under severe pressure to make the URC playoffs after consecutive losses on the Highveld to the Lions and Bulls. They are in 11th place with just six rounds to go.
“We’ve got a week or two now to recover and rebuild before we play Munster (on March 21),” Pietersen said.
“I have just taken the job. It’s a learning curve. There are challenges, but I’ll figure it out. We will get it right.”